Introduction to Zechariah

Name

Zechariah’s book is named for its author, Zechariah son of Berekiah, and grandson of Iddo, the priest (v.1). Zechariah means “Yahweh remembers.”

Author

Zechariah, son of Berekiah, received the word of prophecy from the Lord (v. 1). Zechariah was born in Babylon. He was a priest in the line of Levites. His grandfather, Iddo, was one of Judah’s exiles sent to Babylon (Nehemiah 12:4). Zechariah returned to Jerusalem after the captivity in Babylon. As a contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah was also focused on encouraging the people to rebuild the temple.

Genre

Prophecy (the eleventh of twelve books commonly referred to as the “Minor Prophets”).

Literary Form

Primarily prophetic prose. Sections of prophetic poetry include all of chapters 9 & 10, the beginning and end of chapter 11, and the end of chapter 13.

Time Frame

Zechariah dates the prophecy as the eighth month in the second year of Darius (520 B.C.). His prophetic ministry lasted about three years (until 517 B.C.). Zechariah’s ministry began in between Haggai’s second and third prophecy.

Emphasis

Zechariah’s emphasis is on the need for the people to worship, trust, and obey God. He warned them not to make the same mistakes as their forefathers. He accomplished this through a series of eight visions that disclosed God’s purpose in having them rebuild the temple and two oracles that spoke to God’s future kingdom.

Outline

1. Zechariah’s call to ministry (1:1-1:6)
2. God’s purpose revealed in eight symbolic visions (1:7-6:15)
3. God’s four explanatory messages to the people (7:1-8:23)
4. God’s promised kingdom reveled through two oracles (9:1-14:21)